U of A vs. SCC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with St Charles Community College in Cottleville, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than SCC based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 6,143 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); St Charles Community College is in Cottleville, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St Charles Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; St Charles Community College 22:1.

U of A vs. SCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or SCC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at St Charles Community College than U of A ($3,335 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Charles Community College are 14.6% lower than at University of Arizona ($14,301 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 199.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCC (about $9,270 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $4,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 593.5% higher at U of A than at St Charles Community College (about $36,182 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $6,096.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at St Charles Community College (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 49.6% larger than aid received by St Charles Community College students ($13,776 vs. $9,210).

U of A vs. SCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or SCC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCC and U of A.

• St Charles Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; SCC - Open admission.

U of A vs. SCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and SCC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $19,200 more per year than SCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St Charles Community College graduates have a $10,782 lower median loan debt than U of A graduates ($8,218 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, SCC graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of A graduates ($84 vs. $196).
• More U of A graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.